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pmsumner at 05:17pm on 22/05/2009
pmsumner at 05:17pm on 22/05/2009I'm possibly going to be made redundant! YAY!
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Or something.
We had a meeting on Thursday afternoon where the bigBossDirectorMan told us that the company wasn't doing so well what with the big downturn thing, that they needed to take drastic action and that they hoped the economic outlook would improve in the next few months what with new products coming out, and that they were expecting new and improved sales figures.
The bigBossDirectorMan then said there would be a headcount reduction. Spread out, over 90 days. A number of people would have 30 day consultation, others 60 days, others 90 days. The "ray of hope" being that they want people to keep working as hard as they can to improve sales figures and the better the sales figures become, the fewer people would need to go. Carrot, meet stick. We're to keep working, no garden leave or anything like that.
Over the remainder of the day, the 3 of us who were in the office that do "normal" support were dragged in to a meeting and informed that our positions were under threat and we were going to be under the 60 day consultation. We also know that the other Phil (who does "special customer" support) is "safe", the field engineer boss is "safe" and we're waiting to find out about anybody else. This is REALLY weird. Majorly weird. They're essentially telling us that they don't think there's going to be a need for a support department. This doesn't seem right. Especially when you consider that they've done the same thing to the customer service/order processing department! If they go ahead with all the planned redundancies, they've got nothing customer facing left!
I, and others, are confused. We don't understand what the board are planning, what they're trying to achieve. it feels a little like a threat - a warning. Something like "if you don't buck up your ideas then you're out". But I don't think they can be doing something a stupid as that. If that is their game, it's a very dangerous one to be playing. They run the risk of alienating everybody. Maybe that's the goal? The focus does seem to be shifting away from our little corner of the AD Group towards another one of the sister companies.
In short, we're all confused and slightly worried. The news was hardly unexpected given the scale of what's happening out there in the financial world, but it's still a shock and the scale of the massacre in our department has taken everyone by surprise.
I'm now definitely looking for new work no matter what the outcome is here, so if anyone knows of anything suitable anywhere in the Chester, Warrington, Wrexham, Deeside, Flintshire area... please let me know!
.
.
.
Or something.
We had a meeting on Thursday afternoon where the bigBossDirectorMan told us that the company wasn't doing so well what with the big downturn thing, that they needed to take drastic action and that they hoped the economic outlook would improve in the next few months what with new products coming out, and that they were expecting new and improved sales figures.
The bigBossDirectorMan then said there would be a headcount reduction. Spread out, over 90 days. A number of people would have 30 day consultation, others 60 days, others 90 days. The "ray of hope" being that they want people to keep working as hard as they can to improve sales figures and the better the sales figures become, the fewer people would need to go. Carrot, meet stick. We're to keep working, no garden leave or anything like that.
Over the remainder of the day, the 3 of us who were in the office that do "normal" support were dragged in to a meeting and informed that our positions were under threat and we were going to be under the 60 day consultation. We also know that the other Phil (who does "special customer" support) is "safe", the field engineer boss is "safe" and we're waiting to find out about anybody else. This is REALLY weird. Majorly weird. They're essentially telling us that they don't think there's going to be a need for a support department. This doesn't seem right. Especially when you consider that they've done the same thing to the customer service/order processing department! If they go ahead with all the planned redundancies, they've got nothing customer facing left!
I, and others, are confused. We don't understand what the board are planning, what they're trying to achieve. it feels a little like a threat - a warning. Something like "if you don't buck up your ideas then you're out". But I don't think they can be doing something a stupid as that. If that is their game, it's a very dangerous one to be playing. They run the risk of alienating everybody. Maybe that's the goal? The focus does seem to be shifting away from our little corner of the AD Group towards another one of the sister companies.
In short, we're all confused and slightly worried. The news was hardly unexpected given the scale of what's happening out there in the financial world, but it's still a shock and the scale of the massacre in our department has taken everyone by surprise.
I'm now definitely looking for new work no matter what the outcome is here, so if anyone knows of anything suitable anywhere in the Chester, Warrington, Wrexham, Deeside, Flintshire area... please let me know!
nervous
As someone who has been in the same situation some links:
A lot will depend on how long you have worked for the company, that will affect what you might be entitled to (including notice periods for both you and your employer).
Secondly: if you are in the US then these links might help you (I am in the UK and can only really suggest the forect.gov website, for that area).
Links:
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2008/03/prepare_for_a_layoff-2/
http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2008/01/use-the-rule-of-thirds-to-organize-job-searches/
Thirdly: Good luck. do not let the fear drive any of your decisions but take command as much as you can do in a situation which seems designed to make you feel helpless.
Re: As someone who has been in the same situation some links:
I'm mainly concerned about the stuff that potentially happens after the process ends, to be honest! Historically I've not had a huge amount of luck (well - I say that but I've been constantly employed) with the job hunt thing, and it's such an unpleasant experience I dread it!